Embrace the Lake Photo Gallery
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Organize a Clean-up
Organize your own clean-up with family, friends, neighbors, club, or a community group.
There’s no better way to increase your positive impact on our watershed than by getting others to join you!
The Network will help you promote your event, and we can provide clean-up materials, such as trash bags, gloves, trash grabbers, and more!
Email programs@cayugalake.org to get started!
Join a Cleanup
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network has been collaborating with community groups to keep our waterways clean since 2009. From March to May churches, Scout troops, community groups and families organize clean-up events, to clean up roadsides and waterways to keep trash out of the Lake.
2026 Events
Newfield GreenUp Day
Saturday April 18, 9:00am to 12:00pm, Newfield
Come have fun with fellow Newfielders as we team up to clean up our road sides for this year’s Newfield Greenup Day. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th. This event is a fun way for friends, classmates, organization members, and family to work together towards the common go goal of cleaning up the roadsides of our town. As usual, the registration table will be set up from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. out in front of the Newfield Town Hall on Saturday, 4/18/2026. It is there that each group will register for what strip of road that they are cleaning up so that the highway department knows where to pick up what we collect and set aside for them to pick up and deliver to Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center on the Monday following Greenup Day. If any of you have any questions, please contact Newfield Greenup Day Organizer, Mitch Raymond at mitchraymond614@gmail.com.
Ithaca Rotarians Spring Rt 13 Highway Cleanup
Saturday, April 18, 9:00am to 11:00am, Lansing
On Saturday, April 18 at 9:00 AM, the Ithaca Rotary Club will once again bring the community together for its twice-yearly Route 13 trash cleanup, an effort that keeps our roads safe, our environment healthy, and our region looking its best. Volunteers will meet in the Tops Parking Lot in Lansing before splitting into teams to cover different sections of Route 13. Participants are encouraged to arrive early, around 8:45 AM, to pick up gloves, hard hats, trash grabbers, and bags before heading out. Click here for the volunteer sign up! and read learn more about the event here.
First Baptist Church of Ithaca – Dewitt Park and Neighborhood Cleanup
Sunday, April 19, 12:00pm, Ithaca
The First Baptist Church invites the Community to join them for this park and neighborhood cleanup! The group will assemble to distribute cleanup supplies near the Church at 12:00pm.
Long Point State Park Cleanup
Wednesday, April 22, Aurora – 10-11am – Meet up with fellow volunteers in the parking lot. Sturdy shoes and work gloves recommended. Dress for the weather. Everything else will be provided. ECO-TIP: If you have large empty bags from animal feed, mulch, or potting soil around you can bring those to REUSE as trash bags for the cleanup!
Ludlowville Community Litter Cleanup
Saturday, April 25, Ludlowville – Meet at Ludlowville Park. Please wear sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and work gloves if you have them. Safety vests, trash grabbers, trash bags, and gloves will be provided. ECO-TIP: If you have large empty bags from animal feed, mulch, or potting soil around you can bring those to REUSE as trash bags for the cleanup! Contact Travis Kitch for questions: travis.kitch.08@gmail.com
Annual West Hill Neighborhood Cleanup
Saturday, April 25 – check website for details soon!
GreenStar Co-op Annual Earth Day Cleanup
Sunday, April 26, 1:30pm to 3:00pm, Ithaca
Outdoor spring cleaning at the Co-op! We’ll focus on our co-op’s grounds and GreenStar’s adopted section of the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail. We invite you to join us for an afternoon of spring cleaning at the Co-op! We’ll focus on our co-op’s grounds at the 770 Cascadilla St. store and GreenStar’s adopted section of the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail (towards the old store) to help make our watershed a little healthier and our Co-op environment a little lovelier. Dress for the weather, wear boots, and bring garden gloves, litter grabbers, shovels or clippers if you have them, or anything else that will help! We’ll have extra bags and disposable gloves on hand if you don’t have your own. Meet on the patio at the front of the store – we’ll provide water (bring your own bottle!), apples and other snacks. At least one adult guardian must attend per three participating children. Please RSVP no later than April 23 so we can confirm your attendance, share our cleanup plan, and contact you if we need to reschedule. RSVP here!
Annual Town of Caroline Community Roadside and Ditch Cleanup Week
Monday April 27 – Saturday May 2
Sponsored by the Town of Caroline Watershed Committee. Our goal: To keep the garbage out of the waterways. Garbage tossed along the roadsides ends up in the ditches, which carries it to creeks and streams, such as Six Mile Creek and West Owego Creek. Pick up supplies on April 18, 2pm-4 pm at Caroline Elementary School, cafeteria OR April 26- May 2, at 53 White Church Rd, front porch. Clean up at your convenience until May 2. The clean up coincides with the Highway Department Junk/clean up week, April 27- May 2. Roadside trash can be brought to the Highway Dept during this week. Check Town website for hours more information can be found on the Caroline Town Website or Contact Lucy with any questions LFG1@cornell.edu
Tru-Uly Earth Care Day & Cleanup
Saturday, May 2, 10:00am to 1:00pm, Trumansburg
It’s happening again! Come for the Trash Pickup, stay for the fun! Rain or Shine. Gloves, vests, trash bags, and pickers will be provided. Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. This is an outside event at the Trumansburg Farmers Market. Music, Food, Art, and more!
CLWN Rt 89 Rest Area “Salamander Creek” Cleanup
Sunday, May 3, 1pm to 3pm, Covert
Cayuga Lake Watershed Network’s very own Embrace the Lake cleanup at the Route 89 rest area ~5 miles north of Taughannock Falls State Park! Bags, gloves, and high-visibility vests provided. Wear sturdy waterproof footwear. No need to register, we hope to see you there! Contact Hilary with questions, hlambert0@gmail.com.
Town of Enfield Cleanup
Saturday, May 9, Enfield
The Town will be hosting Road Clean-up on May 9, 2026. Trash bags and Gloves will be provided, and Garbage pickers can be borrowed. Contact the Town Clerk’s Office for more information at 607-273-8256 or townclerk@townofenfieldny.gov
Varna Community Association
Saturday, May 23, Varna – check website for details soon!
2025 Events
Friends of Stewart Park and Zero Waste Ithaca ANNUAL WATERFRONT CLEANUP
Saturday, April 5, 10AM to 12PM
Practice good stewardship of Stewart Park and Cayuga Lake’s waterfront, with trash cleanup, pavilion cleaning, and landscape trimming. If the weather is terrible, they’ll reschedule to April 12th. Visit the Facebook events page for updates and details.
Johnson Community Impact Club
Friday, April 18, 9:30-11:30am,
Johnson Community Impact Club will be meeting on the morning of the 18th to clean up around WalMart parking lot. This event is for members of the organization.
YJA Ithaca Look Out Point Clean Up
Sunday, April 20, 1-3pm, Ithaca
Ithaca Rotarians Spring Rt 13 Highway Clean Up
**POSTPONED AGAIN** DUE TO WEATHER, NEW DATE: Sunsday, April 27, 9-11am, Lansing
Calling all volunteers! The Ithaca Rotary Club is seeking volunteers from the community to join Rotarians to help clean a section of Rt. 13, from the Stewart Park to the Triphammer exits. The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 (Earth Day Weekend) and we will meet at 9:00 am at the Tops Triphammer Road parking lot. We gather as a group, then break into small teams and head out to clean the highway for about 2 hours. All necessary supplies needed for the cleanup will be provided including gloves, hard hats, vests, garbage bags and trash grabbers. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear sturdy shoes. If rain is forecast, we will postpone to another date. This is a fun project and we encourage community volunteers to help us keep the gateway to our community free from trash and looking good. If you can join, please contact Ithaca Rotarian Bob Gravani, bobgravani@gmail.com.
GreenStar Annual Earth Day Clean-Up
Saturday, April 26, 10am-12pm, GreenStar 770 Cascadilla St
Join in for a morning of outdoor spring cleaning at the Co-op! We’ll focus on our co-op’s grounds and GreenStar’s adopted section of the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail to help make our watershed a little healthier and our Co-op environment a little lovelier.
Dress for the weather, wear boots, and bring garden gloves, litter grabbers, shovels or clippers if you have them, or anything else that will help!
Meet on the patio at the front of the store. We’ll provide water (bring your own bottle!), apples, and other snacks. We’ll have extra bags and disposable gloves on hand if you don’t have your own.
At least one adult guardian must attend per three participating children.
Please RSVP no later than April 24 so we can confirm your attendance, share our cleanup plan, and contact you if we need to reschedule. Sign up here!
Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Rt 89 Clean Up
Sunday, April 27, 1-3pm, Rt 89
Tru-Uly Earth Care Day & Cleanup
Sunday, May 4, 11am-2pm, Trumansburg
Be sure to stop and say hello to Watershed Network volunteers at our table! It’s happening again! Come for the Trash Pickup, stay for the EVs, no-mow signs, hands-on activities, earth care information, and more. Music, Food & free Coffee! Rain for Shine. Gloves, vests, trash bags, and pickers will be available. Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. This is an outside event at the Trumansburg Farmers Market. More details coming soon!
2025 Newfield Green Up Day
Saturday, May 10, registration 9am-12pm, Newfield Rain date: TBD
Come have fun with fellow Newfielders as we team up to clean up our road sides for this year’s Newfield Greenup Day. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th. This event is a fun way for friends and family to work together towards the common go goal of cleaning up the roadsides of our town. As usual, the registration table will be set up from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. out in front of the Newfield Town Hall on Saturday, 5/10/2025. It is there that each group will register for what strip of road that they are cleaning up so that the highway department knows where to pick up what we collect and set aside for them to pick up and deliver to Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center on the Monday following Greenup Day.
If any of you have any questions, please contact Newfield Greenup Day Organizer, Mitch Raymond at mitchraymond614@gmail.com.
Zero Waste Ithaca South Hill Neighborhood Clean Up
Saturday, May 10, 10am-12pm, Hillview entrance of South Hill Rec Trail
Join Zero Waste Ithaca and make Pleasant St. Pleasant again. Clean up Hillview, Prospect, Columbia and Hudson streets!
South Hill Neighborhood 6-Mile Creek Clean Up
Saturday, April 26, 10am-12pm, Ithaca
Members of the South Hill neighborhood are meeting at the Giles Street footbridge to clean up along 6-Mile Creek, and you’re invited! Join any time between 10 and 12. The Network will have gloves, trash bags, and trash grabbers to loan out.
By participating in litter cleanups, you are caring for the health of your watershed.
It’s GOOD FOR…
THE ENVIRONMENT
and